Chapter 20
I woke up on the couch at Courtney’s friend’s place. I was glad he had let me stay here, but I knew that anywhere I went, I posed a threat to whomever I was with. Courtney had embraced me when I’d gotten there last night before shooing off all the guys, but for the first time since I’d known her, she didn’t crack a joke about it. I could tell the money situation was on her mind, and I’d embraced her and told her I’d get that money back for her.
I tossed and turned most of the night on the pull-out couch due to my guilt. Now we weren’t only out an apartment, but Courtney had lost all the money she had been saving. I stared at the ceiling of her friend’s living room, wondering what in the world I was going to do.
“Coffee?” Courtney asked.
“I’m gonna need it,” I said.
“I don’t have work today. They haven’t called you in or anything, right?”
“Nope. Today’s a legitimate vacation day, thank shit. I’m terrified of going anywhere right now,” I said.
“Good, because I could use your company right now.”
“Oh? Why’s that?” I asked.
“I’m just worried about you. If I have you in my sights, I know you’re all right.”
“Come on, don’t go getting all protective on me. I’ve got eight badass men already doing that,” I said.
“Yeah. The freaking cavalry showed up last night, and after they all left, I had to explain it all to Ralph, who was understandably a little confused.”
“Uh-huh. So, how are you and Ralph?” I asked.
“The usual. Decent sex, funny guy. That’s all it is though, nothing like you and your twins. Sure you can’t share just one set?”
Before I could respond, my phone rang. Courtney was closest to it, and she smirked when she saw the name. “Speaking of…”
She tossed it over to me, and I saw that Tony was calling, but when I picked it up, Terry was the one who answered.
“Hello, love,” Terry said.
“Terry? Hey. Is Tony all right?” I asked.
“Right here, darling. It’s both of us.”
“Ah, a three-way call. How exotic,” I said.
“Don’t tempt us, love. We might just come back to that apartment where we dropped you off last night,” Terry said.
“Then I guess the two of you will just have to wait until Friday,” I said, grinning.
“Is that a promise?” Tony asked.
“Only if you can fulfill your end of the bargain,” I said.
“Is that something you enjoy?” Terry asked.
“You sound a bit shocked. I’m quite hurt. Of course it is. Why do you ask?”
“Because he’s interested in the concept; that’s why,” Tony said. “But that’s not why we called.”
“Such a shame. I was hoping to reminisce about the promises of Friday evening,” I said, grinning.
“We wanted to call you and apologize,” Terry said.
“What requires an apology?” I asked.
“We may have gone against your wishes, darling,” Tony said.
“I don’t follow,” I said.
“We went ahead and hired the security detail,” Terry said. “After last night, I just couldn’t continue to abide by what you were asking.”
“You guys didn’t,” I said.
“Now don’t be upset, darling,” Tony said. “Last night was hard for all of us. Terry didn’t feel right about simply leaving you in the hands of your best friend and someone we didn’t know. It was the only way I could get him to sleep last night.”
“Terry, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were that worried,” I said.
“I can’t believe you’re not,” Terry said.
“I am. I just—you didn’t spend too much money, did you?” I asked.
“Is that what all this fuss has been about, darling?” Tony asked. “About money?”
My silence told them everything they needed to know.
“Look, Lexi, you are precious, strong, vivacious, not to mention beautiful. You’re being threatened. There isn’t a dollar amount cap we can place on your safety. You let us handle our money the way we see fit. If we want to spend it on you, then that is our decision,” Tony said.
“I just don’t want you guys going to so much trouble,” I said.
“It is no trouble at all, I assure you,” Terry said. “So far, you have fit every single statistic I can manage to find on how stalkers and their victims end up. I won’t allow this to go any further. Understood?”
“You know I have the other twins. Hell, the Oakley brothers are practically ready to beat him in the head with a baseball bat and helmet,” I said.
“We want to keep you safe in our own way,” Tony said. “Let us do that for you, Lexi. Stop fighting us on it and let us take care of you.”
I closed my eyes and allowed their sultry voices to drift over my ears. A smile graced my lips as the phone call went silent, and I sighed in reluctant defeat.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Expect your dress Wednesday morning, and don’t forget to let us know how it fits,” Tony said.
“I’m looking forward to twirling you around the ballroom in it, love,” Terry said.
“Thank you both for everything,” I said.
“You don’t realize you’re worth it now, but eventually our hope is to show you that you are,” Tony said.
“Lexi, there are two men in suits standing by the front door. Everything all right?” Courtney asked.
“I hear the security men we’ve hired are now in place. Don’t worry about feeding them or anything. They can take care of themselves,” Tony said.
“I can’t wait to see you two Friday,” I said.
“And we can’t wait to see you either,” they said in unison.